English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is the state’s test for measuring progress in learning English for students whose primary language is not English.

The ELPAC tests four different areas:

The ELPAC is the test that is used to measure how well students in kindergarten through twelfth grade understand English when it is not their primary language. The ELPAC is taking the place of the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). Information from the ELPAC helps your child’s teacher provide support in the right areas.

Why?
Identifying students who need help learning in English is important so these students can get the extra help they need to do well in school and access the full curriculum. Every year students who are English learners will take the ELPAC summative to measure their progress in learning English.

The ELPAC has two parts: Initial Assessment and Summative Assessment

Initial Assessment

Who: Students will take the Initial Assessment if:
* the student has a primary language other than English,
* the student has not taken then CELDT or ELPAC before, and
* the student has not been classified before as an English learner.

What: The initial Assessment is used to identify students as either an English learner who needs support to learn English, or as proficient in English.

When: Students are given the Initial Assessment within 30 days of when they enroll at the school.

Summative Assessment

Who: The Summative Assessment is given to students who are identified as an English learner on the Initial Assessment.

What: The Summative Assessment is used to measure the skills of English learners. The results will help tell the school or district if the student is ready to be reclassified as proficient in English.

When: Students who are English learners are given the Summative Assessment every spring between February and May until they are reclassified as English Proficient.

What is the purpose of the Practice Test?

The Practice Test is a chance to become familiar with the types of test questions on the ELPAC. When students and teachers know more about what to expect on the test, they will be better prepared to show what they know and are able to do in English. The Practice Test include example test questions and directions for giving the practice test to students, and can be found here.

Students and Families can use the Practice Tests to:
* Become familiar with the types of questions on the ELPAC
Understand the types of English language skills that students are expected to develop
* Understand what students need to be able to do on the actual test

Teachers and Administrators can use the Practice Test to:
* Understand the types of test questions that appear on the actual test
* Understand the alignment of the test questions with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards, Kindergarten Through Grade 12
* Create similar tasks for instructional purposes, with appropriate support, for their students
* Communicate with students, families, and teachers about the skills assessed on the test